Officials of holy shrines in Iran, Iraq sign MOU to expand coop

Amin Behnam, deputy of pilgrims' affairs at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), eighth Shia Imam, met with the Iraqi officials of the holy shrines in Karbala, Kadhimiya, Najaf and Samarra on Monday to exchange views regarding better services for the pilgrims, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

Amin Behnam said," Benchmarking successful experiences of Iraqi holy shrines in giving services to the pilgrims, Iranian officials also found an opportunity to exchange their experience and information about ways of rendering better services to the pilgrims of Imam Reza holy shrine."

Iranian officials in this meeting held in Iraq were detailed on the various services offered in Iraqi holy shrines including medical and welfare services.

Deputy of pilgrims' affairs at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) said," Very good interactions took place between the two sides" adding that," It was decided that the officials of Iraq’s holy shrines travel to Mashhad to sign memorandum of understanding for further cooperation between the two sides."

Custodians of Imam Reza holy shrine have followed the strategy to expand in international interaction with the holy shrines in other countries, particularly the holy Islamic sites in Iraq.

Millions of Iranian pilgrims annually visit the holy shrines in Iraq as the holy shrines of several Shia Imams and members of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) household are located in different Iraqi cities.

Iraqi pilgrims also enthusiastically visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in the northeastern city of Mashhad every year.